The Natural Medicines to Reduce Inflammation in Different Chronic Diseases and Conditions

Natural pain killers are the only option when an individual is in chronic pain and the stomach does not tolerate routine pain medications. Here are the 10 strong natural pain killers to consider.

When someone is having conditions like arthritis or fibromyalgia, they would mostly be advised by their physician to take Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).

The treatment of such conditions goes on for a very long period and since the stomach usually cannot stand the prolonged use of routine pain relievers, the patient might opt for alternatives. The best alternatives for pain medications are the natural pain killers.

Natural pain killers are the alternatives, which are obtained from plants, herbs, foods, supplements or certain methods to treat painful conditions related to many types of diseases, and are becoming more popular with the passage of time.

Because of side-effects, allergic reactions, dependence/addiction and drug interaction of NSAIDs, many people prefer natural or herbal remedies.

A lot of natural options are available to avoid these problems. However, this doesn’t mean that they can be used freely.

They can also bring side-effects or other reactions, although the effects or the reactions are very minor compared to drugs.

If you are looking for strong natural pain killers, these are some of the best options to choose from:

According to the Pain Center of Arizona, Endorphins are the hormones in our body that work by reducing the perception of the pain and acting like drugs such as codeine and morphine. That’s why, they are known as natural pain relievers present in the body and can be as strong as any synthetic pain medications with least side-effects.

When the pain and stress happen, our body will release the endorphins. The higher these hormones levels are released, the lesser the pain is felt and the fewer the stress affects you as well.

These are some recommendations to do if you want to increase endorphins release/production/levels:

Prolonged and continuous exercises

Acupuncture

Massage Therapy

Meditation

Eating spicy foods such as chili peppers

Eating chocolate

Endorphins are also known as natural anti depressants present in our own body. This fact is supported by a study conducted by the Duke University.

2. FISH OIL

Based on the research, fish oil is known as one of the alternatives worth considering because it can work as effective as NSAIDs and pain relievers.

Fish oil can block the chemicals productions, leukotrienes and cytokines that are responsible for inflammation and painful conditions such as in the crohn’s disease, sinusitis, psoriasis, gout, raynaud’s syndrome and rheumatoid arthritis. This capability comes from its two components, EPA - Eicosapentaenoic Acid and DHA - Docosahexaenoic Acid which are known as essential omega 3 fatty acids.

Besides that, omega 3 fatty acids also have successfully treated low-back, neck and menstrual pain, reduced the enzymes’ activity that are responsible for the damage of the cartilage in rheumatoid arthritis condition, and reduced or even stopped the consumption of Nonsteroidal Anti-inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs).

3. SERRAPEPTASE

Serrapeptase is an enzyme produced by microorganism called Serratia E-15 bacteria. Originally, this enzyme was found in intestine of the silkworm. When the silkworm transforms itself into moth, this creature uses the enzyme to dissolve the hard shell of the cocoon, so it can come out from its cocoon. Today, this type of enzyme is also extracted naturally in the laboratory from plant sources.

Serrapeptase has proved to be an effective natural anti-inflammatory and natural pain killer. Its pain and inflammation relieving effects are come from its ability for

Breaking down the general causes of the pain such as the damaged, scar and dead tissues in our body. When the damaged, scar and dead tissues are healed, the pain will normally relieve too.

Reducing inflammation. It is known that inflamed tissue also becomes the cause of the pain.

Blocking the release of pain-inducing amines called bradykinin.

Serrapeptase is known to be helpful for painful conditions such as osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, neck and back pain, fibromyalgia, tension headache, migraine headache, leg ulcers, prostate problems, and diabetes.

Besides those, this proteolytic enzyme also has been used to treat inflammation and painful related conditions such as swelling after surgery, sinusitis, crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, ear infections, sore throat, and laryngitis.

For safety concern, there are actually some side-effects that have been reported, although they are very minor or very rare. Compare to NSAIDs, serrapeptase still can be a better and safer alternative to ibuprofen, salicylates like aspirin, and other NSAIDs. This enzyme has been used in Japan and Europe for over 25 years and in U.S.A. since 1997.

4. WHITE WILLOW BARK

For centuries this herbal pain killer has been widely used in Europe and China for treating headache, toothache, fever, flu, pain such as osteoarthritis, joint pain and lower back pain, and other inflammation conditions like tendinitis and bursitis.

Based on the research, its anti-inflammatory and pain relieving effects come from its components known as salicin, the chemical component similar to acetylsalicylic acid in aspirin. Besides that, other studies also identify other beneficial properties for our health such as fever reducing, immune boosting, antiplatelet, antiseptic, and antioxidant.

Compare to aspirin, White Willow Bark is found to be as effective as this synthetic pain killer, but less irritating to stomach. Besides that, its effects may last longer, although it takes longer to relieve pain.

Although this herbal remedy has many benefits, ones should realize that this herb should be used on limited basis (as required) and may not suitable for people that are likely to get stomach upset, people with stomach ulcers/asthma/haemophilia/diabetes, breastfeeding and pregnant women, kids under 16 years old, people that are sensitive or allergic to aspirin or salicylates compound.

5. TURMERIC

This herb has been used for centuries in many countries as one of the strong natural pain killers and anti-inflammatory agents. It can reduce the inflammation and pain as effective as NSAIDs. Mechanism is unknown, but its pain relieving activity is due to a substance called “curcumin” that has anti-inflammatory properties.

Curcumin is known effective in relieving the knee pain, joint swelling, morning stiffness, and improving walking time in osteoarthritis, rheumatoid arthritis, and post operative inflammation condition.

This herbal remedy is also available in the paste form that is very useful to relieve minor pain and ache when applying it to skin directly.

Based on the recent clinical studies, turmeric is considered safer that NSAIDs, and well tolerated at high doses without any adverse side-effects, even when someone is given 8,000 milligrams/day for 3 months.

Other than having pain relieving effects and acting as anti-inflammatory agent, turmeric is also found to have anti fungal, anti viral, antioxidant properties.

Conclusion

For a person with chronic pain who may have exhausted from the continuous, troublesome use of traditional synthetic pain medications, strong herbal or natural pain killers are the answers to their misery.

However, before doing herbal treatment, you may want to consult it with your doctor, or professional herbalist in order to know the correct dosage, the best way to take it, health risks such as the interactions that can happen when you are also taking other supplements, herbs or medications.

3 Comments so far

EXCELLENT INFORMATION ON ALTERNATIVE PAIN KILLERS. HOWEVER THE READER IS LEFT WITH IMPORTANT QUESTION ABOUT WHERE TO GET THESE PRODUCTS. WHAT A GREAT HELP IT WOULD HAVE BEEN IF THE ARTICLE CONTAINED SOURCE FOR GETTING ANY OF THESE PAIN KILLERS>